IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 142, 14 June 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

THE DOMINIONS , IDEAL FOODr TfiX NOT WAKTED. RECIPROCITY IN AWARDS. Cable;—-Press^'issociattaoi!—Coyyil&lit.) LCHSDOK, Jane 13. sAt the Congress of British Chambers erf Commerce, in the coarse of the debate on Imperial preference. Sir Albert Spicer, ■wbo presided over tne previous conference, declared that Anstxalia had made it clear that she did not wajit tariff concessions tchich were not in Great Britain's o"wn interests. There was no human possibility, lie said, of Briti&h electors agreeing to a tax on food for the sole 'benefit of the Overseas Dominions. Mr. S. Treadwin (Australia) urged that it teas the duty of the Motherland to listen to the voice -erf the colonies in the matter of preferen.ee. The London Chamber's motion in favour of the enforcement in one part of the Empire of arbitration awards and agreements made in another part was carried, Mr. Hedges ("West Australia) asked "What is the good of asking for legislation to enforce awards in other parts of the Empire wbisn we are unable to enforce oux own country's awards?" The industrial award of Australia, he added, was openly flouted by the men. Three hundred were present at the Congress banquet at which Mr. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) presided. Mr. Sydney Brrxton (President of the Board of Trade), in replying to the toast of "Parliament." referred to the satisfactory results of the work of the trade commissioners in the Dominions. In referring to the industrial unrest, he said that he hoped that their colonial friends would assist the Motherland to bring capital and labour to work together for the common good. Mr. -J. M. Paxton (Sydney) said thnS the presence of foreign Powers at no great distance demanded •watchfulness on the part of Australia, and the necessity of founding her own navy and training , her youths.

CO-OPERATION IN DEFENCE.

SUPPORTED BT CONGRESS. (Eeceived 10.20 a.m.) LO2JDON, June 13. The Congress of the British Chambers of Commerce discussed the desirability of the Empire co-operating in national defence, and urged the Governments to agree to a practical scheme at an early datr. In consequence of the Congress expressing strong dissent, the Montreal delegation withdrew a motion to the effect that the Dominions were doing their part by devoting thr-ir revenues to the development of their own resources. Major Corrigan (Wellington) said the New Zealand demand for compulsory training was not connected with the parties, but was due to the people, headed by the Press. '■'"Mr. H. J. Jenkins said that if-Brrtain adopted the Australian system she would have three million lads trained to defence. HEART OF TEE EMPI2E. MAT MOVE TO CANADA. LONDON, June 13. Mr. G. E. Foster (Canadian Minister for Trade and Customs), in addressing the Royal Colonial Institute, said that if the Dominions continued to increase, within the nest 50 years, there would be a great alteration in the relative positions of the heart of the Empire and the outlying parts. The Empire's mission could only be fulfTCed by co-operation, and by calling to its councils the best experience and ■wisdom in the Empire. EMIGRATION EITOBTS. (Received 2.15 pjn.) LONDON, June 13. At the Queensland dinner, Sir T. B. Robinson (Agent-General) presided, and referred to Queensland's wonderful growth amd development. Sir Geo. H. Reid proposed the health of Mr. es-Premier (the guest of the evening), who in his reply said that he hoped the emigration efforts would be continuous and not spasmodic.